Carnival Cruise Lines to Increase Capacity in Mobile by 42 Percent With Deployment of Carnival Fantasy in Fall 2009

2,056-Passenger SuperLiner to Replace Holiday on Four- and Five-Day Cruises

                                 to Mexico



    MIAMI, Aug. 18 /EMWNews/ -- Carnival Cruise Lines -- which operates

Mobile's only year-round cruise program -- will increase capacity at the

port by 42 percent when the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy replaces the

1,452-passenger Holiday on year-round four- and five-day cruises beginning

in November 2009.



    With the Carnival Fantasy's departures from Mobile, the company expects

to carry approximately 170,000 passengers annually from that port.



    Carnival Fantasy will offer a new "Fun Ship" cruise experience with a

larger vessel that will include a number of exciting new features. This

fall, the ship will undergo the next phase of the line's Evolutions of Fun

enhancement program. During an extended dry dock period, the open decks

will be completely transformed to include the Carnival WaterWorks aqua

park, Serenity adults-only retreat, and a new resort-style pool area.



    "Mobile has been a terrific homeport for us since we began service

there in 2004 and we're absolutely thrilled to be able to expand capacity

from this port with the deployment of the Carnival Fantasy," said Terry

Thornton, Carnival's senior vice president of marketing planning. "The

support of the local community, particularly city and port officials and

our travel agent partners, has been nothing short of exceptional and we are

very pleased to continue operating Mobile's first and only year-round

cruise program," he added.



    "Mobile is one of the nation's most progressive cities, a quality we

attribute to our partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines and our ability to

build coalitions united around one goal -- a better Mobile," said Mobile

Mayor Sam Jones. "We are truly grateful to welcome the larger Carnival

Fantasy ship, and look forward to the future opportunities this partnership

will bring to our city, state and region," he added.



    Year-Round Four- and Five-Day Mexico Cruises



    Carnival Fantasy will launch year-round four- and five-day service from

Mobile Monday, Nov. 16, 2009. On this route, four-day cruises departing

Thursdays visit Cozumel, one of the cruise industry's most popular

destinations known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, excellent shopping

and variety of shore excursion opportunities.



    Five-day cruises departing Mondays visit both Cozumel and Calica,

which, in addition to aqua-blue waters that attract snorkelers, scuba

divers and windsurfers the world over, is in close proximity to the

magnificent Mayan ruins of Tulum, the ecological theme park Xcaret, and

Playa del Carmen and its popular Avenida Cinco shopping district.



    Five-day cruises departing Saturdays call at Cozumel and Progreso, an

emerging port with exciting excursion options to the beautiful colonial

city of Merida and the spectacular Mayan ruins in Chichen Itza, recently

named one of the Seven Wonders of the World.



    On November 10, 2009, the ship will offer a one-time six-day cruise

visiting Progreso, Cozumel and Costa Maya. The Holiday will remain in

Mobile through the departure of November 2, 2009 and will then be

transferred to Iberocruceros, a Spain-based sister cruise brand under the

Carnival Corporation & plc umbrella.



    'Evolutions of Fun' Upgrades



    The 70,000-ton Carnival Fantasy's extensive renovation this fall is

part of the line's $250 million "Evolutions of Fun" refurbishment program

for its eight Fantasy-class vessels. The "extreme makeover" will include a

new Carnival WaterWorks aqua park that will feature a 300-foot-long

corkscrew water slide, dual-lane 82-foot-long racing slides and various

water spray apparatus.



    Also featured will be Serenity, an exclusive adults-only retreat

featuring plush chaise lounges and chairs, oversized umbrellas, teak

decking and two whirlpools, while the "resort-style" main pool will

incorporate a tropical theme with thatched roofs, faux palm trees, colorful

umbrellas, and a tiled "beach" bordering the pool.



    Carnival Fantasy also offers 12 themed lounges and bars, a nine-hole

miniature golf course, a 12,000-square-foot Spa Carnival facility, three

restaurants, full casino gambling, a comprehensive golf program where

guests can play top Caribbean courses, and organized programs for children

in three different age groups -- "Camp Carnival" for youngsters, "Circle C"

for 12- to 14-year olds, and "Club O2" for older teens.



    Carnival Fantasy also offers a variety of staterooms and suites, all of

which feature the "Carnival Comfort Bed" sleep system with plush

mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows. Ship-wide

Wi-Fi access and cell phone service are also available.



    Reservations Now Open



    Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Fantasy's

new four- and five-day cruise program from Mobile. Round-trip air

supplements from a variety of North American gateways and discounted rates

for third and fourth guests sailing in the same stateroom are also

available.



    For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent,

call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.